Water that gives eternal life? And all this for free? Where can we find something like that? Jesus Christ has it. And all we have to do is draw the water.
“Wake up!” was the call Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider made at the beginning of his sermon in Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, on 14 December 2025. Because “the King of Peace is here. Jesus Christ is in our midst” and offers us His salvation. This is the meaning of the Bible text from Isaiah 12: 3, which this divine service was based on: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
The water that brings eternal life
According to the Bible, water embodies various aspects. On the one hand, it is an image for God’s actions, of God’s presence and help. On the other hand, it is an image for purification. And over time it has also become an image for eternal life, the life of God, the Chief Apostle explained.
For Christians, it is clear that this water is Jesus Christ, he said. In Him, God came to earth, into the midst of humankind. In Him “we find forgiveness of sins, the purification of the soul, and He has come to bring eternal life”.
The well from which the water of life flows will never cease to give. Because it “is available in Jesus Christ in its fullness”. No matter what situation you are in, Jesus Christ can help and comfort you. Anyone who believes in Him can have their sins forgiven. And God can offer eternal life to all human beings. “God’s help and consolation work for everyone at all times,” the Chief Apostle said, before going on to say, “God has prepared eternal life for all human beings.”
The water of life is free
This water is “accessible and available to all, and everyone can receive it for free”, the Chief Apostle said. It cannot be earned; God offers grace, salvation, and help. “The only condition is that we must draw the water.”
To get to this source, to Jesus Christ, we must believe in Him. “It is a matter of true faith,” and not just tradition, religion, or belief. “We must trust Jesus Christ completely,” the Chief Apostle said, “and turn to Him in every situation.”
Drawing water means accepting His word and becoming active. “Therefore, let us not just listen, but pray beforehand and then internalise the word, bring it to life within us, and ask ourselves serious questions: what does that mean for me now?”
Coming to the source of our own free will
Drawing with joy means that we do not draw the word of God because we have to, but because we want to, the Chief Apostle explained. The decision is up to us. “I want to enter the kingdom of God. I want eternal life. And that is why I want the word of God.” God offers grace. We have access to this water and are grateful that we can partake of it.
In the kingdom of God everything is holy and perfect. Those who want to enter this kingdom must become like Christ, and accept the word of God and His truth. “Because He knows me and loves me, He knows I can never be perfect. I absolutely need grace.” God tells us what we still need to change in our lives, how we can obtain grace, and how we can better resist temptation.
Far more than a good mood: divine joy
“Let us draw this water with joy. If we draw it in this manner, this water will bring joy.” This has nothing to do with cheerfulness, being in a good mood, or emotion. “This joy is divine joy,” the Chief Apostle said.
This is an inner attitude. “Divine joy is the joy of those who have a good relationship with God.” Such people are grateful for salvation, are happy to be loved by God, and look to the future with confidence. “Those who draw the water of salvation have a deep and lasting inner joy.”
“Those who truly have this joy in Christ become a source of blessing for their neighbour,” explained the Chief Apostle before concluding his sermon as follows: “Through it, the neighbour can experience the closeness, love, and grace of Jesus Christ.”